A 52-year-old township travel baseball team manager was arrested on March 21, 2019, after it was learned that he misappropriated $6,500 in team money. Michael Walters, of Pine Lake Park was charged with one count of theft by deception following the investigation by Manchester Township Police.
On March 20, 2019, coaches and team representatives for a local Boys 10U Travel Baseball Team reported to the Manchester Police that they suspected that the team manager/treasurer, Michael Walters, was misappropriating the monies that the players had raised from fundraising activities. This money was to be used to purchase equipment, pay entry fees for tournaments, and fund other team related expenses. The information about the theft came to their attention after learning that Walters was unable to make payment to a winner of one of the team’s fundraisers. The initial report was taken by Patrolman Marc Micciulla and both he and Detective Richard Jupinka conducted the follow-up investigation. After doing so, Michael Walters was charged with one count of theft by deception in excess of $6,500.00 and one count of issuing a bad check in excess of $500.00. Michael Walters was taken into custody at Manchester Police Headquarters on March 21, 2019, and subsequently transferred to the Ocean County Jail pending a court hearing.
This investigation is ongoing and there is a potential for additional charges. If you have any information regarding this incident please contact Detective Richard Jupinka at 732-657-2009 ext. 4206. If you would like to remain anonymous you can submit a tip to http://manchesterpolicenj.com/investigations-bureau/tip-line/